Rehearsals are underway at Perth Theatre for Gabriel Quigley’s new drama There’s A Place, inspired by the time The Beatles stayed in Perthshire and performed in Dundee.
Taking place on the 60th anniversary of the Caird Hall gig, this funny and energetic new show captures what it is to be young, the harmony and hazards that come with a shared passion, and the healing power of music.
Directed by Sally Reid and designed by Kenny Miller, the show stars Tinashe Warikandwa as ‘John’, Leah Byrne as ‘Paul’, Rosie Graham as ‘George’ and Yana Harris as ‘Ringo’ (pictured ltr), plus Eléna Redmond.
It’s 1964 and the world is gripped by Beatlemania. Two chalets on the banks of Loch Earn become the base for the Fab Four as they embark on a short tour of Scotland.
Watching their every move are four Beatlemaniacs from Perth. Each named after their favourite Beatle; John, Paul, George and Ringo, they camp out across the loch in a desperate quest to meet their heroes.
John has blown it at school and is at a crossroads. Will she stray onto the wrong side of the tracks, or will life throw her a lifeline? Paul is under pressure to get a job and bring money into her home, but dreams of more. ‘Baby’ of the group, George, has conjured an elaborate fantasy life with her alter ego but will reality live up to her imagination? Ringo has her own quiet ambitions, but will she have the confidence to achieve her true potential?
The girls set out on an adventure of friendship, rivalries, secrets and songs, played out to the backing track of obsessive fandom.
Director Sally Reid said:
“I’m thrilled and so excited to be working on Gabe’s wonderful story There’s A Place with this awesome cast. The story follows the coming-of-age antics of the girls on the banks of Loch Earn one night as they await their beloved Beatles. Although I didn’t experience Beatlemania first hand, I experienced the Take That buzz in the 90’s and I love watching the Swifties experience their own wave of ‘Beatlemania’ today. The Fab Four were the original but we feel the ripples of that fandom experience through generations and this play will appeal to the everyone, anyone who has ever been a fan!”
Perth Theatre’s production of There’s A Place runs in Perth Theatre from Thursday 17 October until Saturday 2 November. For tickets and info on There’s A Place click here or call or visit the Perth Theatre Box Office (10:00 – 18:00 Tue – Sat, 01738 621031).
